GPS Units

[CdnKayDee]

Hi all,

We are renting a vehicle for our next Disney trip and were also going to rent a GPS unit. For the price we are paying (and will likely pay in the future) I am thinking that it would he more cost effective to buy a unit. Is there any reason why it would be better to use the rental GPS? What are some GPS units that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[WildGrits]

I have two units. The more expensive is my Garmin Nuvi and my cheapo is a reconditioned TomTom. I use them both for driving and geocaching. I have to say that I like the TomTom better.

My Garmin is so tempermental. If the battery is getting low and I need to plug it in while I am still using it, the screen goes dim. That is the most frustrating thing it does.

My TomTom has many voices in it. For a few dollars you can download some real cute stuff.

For the actual walking with, they are equal.

 

[MoniqueU]

I would buy one they come in handy. But I would stear clear of the magellan ones or maybe it is just me but both of our brand new units are not tracking right. They will show our position as on the side of a freeway and constantly give bad directions. I can't remember the name of the one we had that worked great but it was a low end model. I would feel comfortable getting a reconditioned one of amazon and a lower end model. They do the same things and you may as well save a buck IMHO. Also id you have your own ahead of time you can get used to how it works and be prepared on the go. We have had cars that came with installed GPS but you cant use the suckers unless you are stopped, the portable ones IMHO are way better.

 

[libraryfreak]

If you buy one, try to get one with free lifetime map updates. My Tomtom (which I like) is just a few years old but already out of date. To download new maps is crazy expensive - like $40! I only paid $100 for it new!

 

[JB2K]

I would buy one -- some can be had at U.S. mass-merchandisers (Walmart, Target) for under US $100.

 

[mom0299]

We have an older Magellan. It has been very dependable and we've enjoyed it. However, DH just got a new phone with a GPS installed on it. It was a free app with the phone and works just like a seperate GPS. We won't be buying another stand-alone unit.

 

[abmitch01]

I have a Mio that is a few yrs old. I love it because the screen is huge so it is very easy to see where to go. they tend to be on the less expensive side and I've had no problems with mine

 

[su_A_ve]

TomTom - No1 in Europe, No2 in the US
Garmin - No1 in the US, No2 in Europe

You can't go wrong with either one. Units can cost between 100 to 500, with high-end units having more bells and whistles. Ie Traffic, bluetooth, multimedia playing, street names, voice recognition, 3"/4"/5" screens, etc.

Map upgrades have always been the issue. Maps would cost $80 - $100. At first, they would only come out once a year. Recently they have moved to 4 times a year. TomTom now has a subscription mode where you can pay $70 for all 4 updates.

But now they put out models that include lifetime maps, on even some of their smaller units.

3" square screens might be small for some. 4" rectangular screens give you a bit more side view. 5" (for me) are too big.

Look at the XL 340 or XL 350 (either M, T or TM - M is for lifetime maps. T is for traffic. TM is for both)

 

[Swimalie]

We bought my dad a Magellan a few years ago for his birthday. It has died already. He's in the market for a new one now and will be getting a Garmin. He, my sister and brother in law all use the Garmin Forerunners for their running and get great customer service. He will also get the lifetime map upgrading.

I'm a huge Garmin Professional Bicycling fan so of course I'd vote for Garmin : (watching the Tour de France right now and just saw one of the Garmin riders do great )

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I hate my garmin and we need another one soon and dh wants another garmin. He hates it, has tossed it in the backseat swearing at the stupid thing but yet wants another one?! He's blinded by brand I think.

The charger cord started going shortly after we bought it. 1 week out of the box the map was out of date and garmin told me too bad I had to pay $75 for an upgrade.(which I refused to do, so now it's even more out of date) It's useless for the most part and gets us lost frequently and it also has trouble finding a signal.

 

[3_disprincesses]

We have two Garmin's - one for the family and one for my 19 year old daughter. We used one this past weekend for a trip to Dallas and it was great - I didn't have a map, had no idea of where I was going. Helped us find stores we were looking for, restaurants,etc...

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I would buy one. I bought DH one for Christmas last year, an Insignia, stay very far away from them, they are junk. I bought it at Best Buy and luckily got the Geek Squad coverage, because it had to be replaced twice in 6 months, so last time, we just switched to a Garmin and it is so much better.

I don't really see the point, unless you travel alot to unfamilar places, but DH loves his so I just let him have it. It has come in handy a few times, I will have to admit.

Suzanne

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

Mousesavers has a program you can download and add to certain GPS is is specific for thDW area

 

[tommya60]

We gave DD a TomTom for her 16th Bday last week. I picked it up at Target for $63. It was in the electronics clearance area.

 

[pixiewings71]

We have a Garmin, have had it for oh.....probably 3 years now. LOVE it!! Maps are up to date and it works GREAT!!!! We paid about $150 for it and then added the lifetime MSN Direct for $99, well worth it.

 

[CowboyCO]

For a trip, if you have Verizon, just download VZ Navigator. It's about $10 a month and you can cut the service when you are done with it.

 

[clh2]

We have 2 garmins. Bought one a couple of years ago, and when we thought it was time to update the maps, we just bought a second one instead - so now we have 2. DD started driving also, so a 2nd GPS seemed like a better idea thna just updated maps on the first one.

We LOVE LOVE LOVE them, and find that we use them a lot locally too - not just on big trips.

The 2nd garmin we bought has a few bells/whistles - like "lane assist" and we really like that feature. This is a nuvi 1300 series model.

The first garmin is a little more basic, but definitely meets the needs. This is either a nuvi 600 or 650.

I read somewhere - probably on the DIS (because you guys share the best info) that when you get a new garmin - you are able to update the maps within 60 days ofyour first drive with the nuvi. You just need to register your nuvi at http://my.garmin.com And, since we bought a clearnace model, the maps that were loaded were outdated, so we updated right away. AGAIN - thanks to my DIS-friends for that advice!!! They call this the "nuMaps Guarantee".

 

[Happiest mommy]

We have 2 Garmin's we love em once you have it you wonder why you didn't get one sooner.